Travelling to Chicago by Amtrak was a
long, slightly tiring trip. However, I got the opportunity to see the
rest of the country in a way I couldn't, had I been on an airplane.

So
this is definitely one city I plan on visiting again; clean, odor free
and non crowded streets gives the downtown Chicago an "A" in my books.
The non crowded streets means the stores aren't crowded either and
that translates into me having my pick of the merchandise unlike in
NYC. Since my visit I've heard of people making the trip mainly to do
some shopping.

I
enjoyed some firsts here too; namely Octoberfest and funnel cake. It
was my first Octoberfest and I felt like a fish out of water as I
navigated the sea of blue jeans and white T's with my orange pants. However
the crowd was super friendly and hot! I discovered funnel cake at Octoberfest (its almost like I had never been to a street fair in NYC)

And
the Chicago Bulls memorabilia in some establishments didn't hurt
either, as it brought back the nostalgia of that era of
total domination by Michael Jordan and the Bulls.

Our
hotel was within walking distance of downtown Chicago and that means
we got to find out how Chicago became known as the windy city. Alas on a
nice uneventful day the unannounced winds would whip us mercilessly
before retreating to whence they suddenly came.

Chicago is known for its art and architecture as you'll see in the pics below. Oh, Chicago I will be back for Octoberfest and all in September 2016. And dear readers you can expect more pics and details from this upcoming trip.

Every destination below has been on my list for years. However, I resolve to visit these destinations in 2016.

1) Paris - for the same reasons everyone wants to visit Paris. Plus because I start planning this trip every year, but have yet to reach Paris. But hey, my very close friend is there until August and she is French, so what better time to go.

2) Toronto - I mean really, how far is Canada from NYC that I have never been?

3) Alaska - yes, an Alaskan cruise is another one of these dream trips I keep putting off every year. Notice its the only cruise on the list, that says something....I really want to get on an Alaskan cruise.

4) Las Vegas - another close friend lived there for years and kept inviting me but I never made it. However, I got a great deal and my hotel is booked since December, so this long overdue trip is definitely a go!